High efficiency ultracolloidal emulsifying module for basically immiscible fluids and related methods

ABSTRACT

The invention features an emulsifying module comprising a cylindrical body (1) with a direct input block (5) or mixing block (4), at one of its ends, and an adjustable output block (3) at its other end. The body (1) contains one or more hollow cylindrical cartridges (8) allowing the mixture to pass through the cartridge from one end to the other. The cartridges (8), linked with one another and with the end blocks of the tubular body (1) via resilient spring linking mechanisms (14 to 18), each contain a plurality of vibrating discs (24) slidingly mounted on a hollow central axle (25). The hollow central axle (25) has a plurality of oscillating discs which cover and uncover lateral outlets provided in the axle to facilitate mixing. This invention is useful for emulsifying numerous liquid or gas products, in particular greasy liquid products, fuels, motor fuels, oils in various applications, heating, energy, compound products, and engines.

The present invention concerns an emulsifying module for producing amixture or an ultracolloidal emulsion from at least two immisciblefluids, one of which is a primary fluid, specifically, an oily liquidfluid mixed with water and/or various liquid or gaseous additives.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a demand for thoroughly mixed or ultrafine, stable mixtures invarious fields, such as the production of cosmetics, foods, andespecially fuels and combustibles.

Numerous emulsifiers or emulsionizers which produce an oil-in water typeemulsion are already known. Such an emulsion has a certain degree offineness and is only minimally stable, enough to satisfy its intendedpurpose.

Many emulsifiers are merely improved homogenizers capable of producingonly a low quality, unstable, coarse emulsion.

However, emulsifiers do exist are which capable of producing an emulsionwith adequate characteristics and qualities for a particular purpose.

Movable disc emulsifiers for immiscible liquids are known in the art, asdescribed in Patent Nos. FR 2 461 515 filed Jul. 27, 1979 by RobertGuerin and FR 2 731 504 by Societe MEROBEL.

In the first invention of Robert Guerin, the emulsifier is formed bystacking annular units stored in a tube sealed at each end by a couplingpiece. These annular pieces can slide along a median longitudinal axisand they are separated from one another by a central lateral tubularextension allowing them to interlock. Each annular element has two typesof peripheral notches disposed so that they form baffled passagewaysbetween one annular element and the next. The stack forms a blockmaintained in flexible equilibrium at a distance from the tubeextremities by helicoidal springs which simultaneously provide cohesionto the unit. The fluid arrives through the hollow extremities of themedian longitudinal axis on which the annular elements are mounted. Theliquid mixture travels along the annular space occupied by the annularelements and leaves the tube in an emulsified state. Thus, the entireblock is subjected to oscillation caused by the pulsating effects ofcavitation.

Since the liquid passes through only the notches in this unit, theemulsifier loses considerable capacity and the emulsifying effect islimited to what can occur during passage through the baffles.

Additionally, the configuration of this device and the stackedarrangement cause the annular elements to become blocked fairly quickly.

Furthermore, it is not possible to produce an ultrafine emulsion, asthere is no high frequency fluid shearing.

The main features of the second invention derive from the firstinvention. The stack consists of a succession of perforated cylindricalplates and interposed layers of passageways with bi-conical taperedportions separated from one another by empty areas, with the unitforming a block fitted within a tubular body. The passageways betweensuccessive plates and layers are laterally offset so as to form baffles.

Here again, the baffle structure prevents achieving an ultrafineemulsion. The baffle structure forming a compact stack either will notallow the plates and layers to vibrate at all, or prevents them fromvibrating enough to attain the amplitudes required to make the evenhigher frequencies effective. Such high frequency vibrations combinewith the shearing phenomenon to produce an ultrafine emulsion.

Also known in the art is Russian Patent No. SU 1 678 426 filed Oct. 10,1989 relating to a liquid cavitation emulsifier.

This mixing device consists of masses that are movable along a medianlongitudinal axis, separated from one another by a spring. These massesare solid and thick. They can only be displaced enough to oscillate at alow speed, thus preventing auto-resonance at a high enough frequency tocreate an emulsion, and certainly not an ultrafine emulsion such as theemulsion which is the object of the present invention.

The goal of the invention is to produce an ultrafine emulsion from twoimmiscible liquids while using the smallest amount of energy possible.

With the method of the present invention, it is possible to achievethoroughly mixed emulsions which extend the limits of stability andfinesse, and to attain ultracolloidal quality which is immune fromsubstantial physical modifications over a period of several weeks oreven several months, while consuming vastly reduced amounts of energy.

The applications vary depending upon the initial product. This may be afatty food product, and the invention may produce fatty food emulsionsfor light cuisine such as margarine or shortening. Or it may consist offatty emulsions used in the composition of beauty products or lotions.

In the domain of fuels, it is possible to envision a diesel vehicleoperating with an emulsion of water and gasoline as a fuel. The use ofvariable amounts of water over a broad range would maintain essentiallythe same level of performance. But more importantly, the quality ofcombustion and reduction in engine emissions and oily byproducts wouldcontribute significantly to pollution control efforts.

The same is true with hydrocarbon fuels such as light fuel oil, heavyfuel oil, and the like.

An ultracolloidal emulsion produces cleaner combustion in heating fuel,which is self-cleaning and economical in terms of energy costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

For these reasons, the invention provides a high performance emulsifyingmodule which produces a product with exceptional physical qualities.

The high efficiency emulsifier of the invention for producing highlystable mixtures and/or emulsions from basically immiscible fluids can beused alone or in a group with several other modules in a series, inparallel, or in a different arrangement.

It is characterized by having a tubular body with an input block foradmitting fluids under pressure and an output block at its secondextremity, with the interior of the tubular body comprising a pluralityof hollow cartridges, one front surface of which provides a passagewayfor the fluid, and which are connected to one another and to the endblocks in each instance by a resilient longitudinal connector, saidcartridges being attached in a series and separated from one another bya spring forming a flexible connector between the cartridges and the endblocks of the tube; the cartridges have an open opposing front surfaceand being fitted to the diameter of the tubular body in a piston-likefashion, with each cartridge surrounding a plurality of vibrating discswhich slide along a hollow coaxial axis with a series of outletsextending along it for partially supplying the fluid. Said discs arealternately covered and uncovered by the oscillation motions whichdisplace the vibrating discs, while the cartridges oscillate accordingto their own physical properties and those of the flexible longitudinalconnectors.

The inlet block is a mixer formed of a central channel with a conicalinlet and an outlet diverging towards the interior of the centraltubular body into an auxiliary diverging tube, which has a projectingextremity that forms a base for the resilient longitudinal end connectorjoining the inlet block to the adjacent cartridge; it further comprisestwo lateral inlets through two transverse conduits with staggeredopenings leading into the central channel and communicating with thesecondary longitudinal conduits opening into the tubular body.

Besides producing a high quality, ultracolloidal emulsion which is verystable and very fine, the invention offers many other advantages, ofwhich only the most important will be cited below:

the proportions of the two main liquids can be very precisely regulated;

a very little energy is consumed;

it is low cost in comparison to the results produced;

it has numerous applications, particularly agriculture/food, cosmetics,chemistry and petro-chemistry, gas turbines, heating mechanisms,internal combustion engines and many others;

it can be used to formulate ternary emulsions;

and various other applications which call for a fine emulsion orpressure homogenization.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description, given by way of example, accompanied by thedrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-section of the basic emulsifying moduleaccording to the invention showing the two variations of the inletblock;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-section of a variation that is useful asa pre-emulsifier;

FIG. 3 is a perspective of an oscillating cartridge;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective of the oscillating cartridge and itscontents;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are two perspectives, each showing one surface of anon-perforated disc;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are two perspectives each showing one surface of aperforated disc;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are perspectives of variations of discs having diagonalnotches;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are schematic longitudinal partial cross-sections of acartridge showing its operation in the inactive and active stages,respectively; and

FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing the movement of the central portionof a disc in front of an aperture in the hollow axis.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

The present invention is based on the principles of turbulence,cavitation, shearing, and laminar flow applied to liquids known to beimmiscible at low and medium pressure, and the means of obtaining a highquality mixture or emulsion with superior fineness and stability.

For the sake of simplicity, from this point on, all modules or groups ofmodules encompassed by the invention will be referred to as emulsifyingmodules, that is, mixing modules, homogenizers, pre-emulsifiers,emulsifiers, and homogenizer-emulsifiers.

The module or group of modules according to the invention can serve as ahomogenizer for particularly unstable liquids or fluids, or both.

As the first drawings show, there are several variations of homogenizersor emulsifiers or homogenizer-emulsifiers, all referred to below asemulsifiers, which can be grouped to form a complex multi-stageemulsifier that could also include a pump.

First, there is a base module which may serve as either a pre-emulsifieror an emulsifier.

It is formed of a cylindrical tubular body 1 sealed at either end by anend block, which may be either an inlet block 2 or an outlet block 3,for the passage of one or more fluids or a mixture of fluids. Inletblock 2 may consist of either a three-track mixing inlet block 4, or asingle track inlet block 5. The supply circuits for the different tracksinclude a pump (not shown) for carrying the fluid or mixture ofpressurized fluids to the module.

Mixing block 4 is equipped with two tracks for fluids to be emulsified,for example (but not necessarily), water and a vector fluid such as anoily fuel, a vegetable, animal, or other liquid, said third track beingprovided for an additional liquid such as a reactive, a by-product, acolorant, or the like. Pressurized fluid arrives at the inlets.

Each end block 2 or 3 is attached to cylindrical body 1, for example, itmay be joined with a gasket seal such as seals 6 and 7, respectively.

Cylindrical tubular body 1 houses at least one oscillating cartridgesuch as cartridge 8 or several oscillating cartridges, for example, fourcartridges, such as those denoted by numerals 9, 10, 11, 12 (FIG. 1);this number may vary depending upon the base module. The oscillatingcartridges are hollow cylindrical bodies 13 fitted inside thecylindrical body like a piston, allowing them to slide easily.Oscillating cartridges 8 are interconnected and also joined to the inletand outlet end blocks with resilient connectors, for example, endsprings 14 and 15 and intermediate springs 16, 17, 18, calledcounter-reaction springs, actually forming multiple longitudinal, axialsuspension systems in which the cartridges are masses that begin tooscillate as the fluid or mixture of pressurized fluids passes through.

The body of each cartridge opens at one transverse extremity on a rearfront surface 19, while the body of each cartridge is closed at theother transverse extremity by a front wall 20 allowing fluid to pass;for example, it may be solid but perforated with openings such asoutlets 21, and the surface of the opposing rear face forms the base ofthe cartridge. The outlets 21 for the passage of fluid in this frontwall 20 may be distributed in a regular radial, circular pattern. Frontwall 20 comprises an enlarged cylindrical area 22 which may project fromthe surface for hydrodynamic purposes, in the central area, serving as aseating for one of the springs which form the resilient connection.Cylindrical enlargement 22 has drilled openings 23.

The space inside each cartridge is occupied by a series of vibratingdiscs such as disc 24, attached to slide with minimal play, one afterthe other, along a hollow, interior, coaxial median axis (axle) 25, thefirst end of which is closed and has a transverse terminal shoulder stop26, and a second open, threaded extremity 27 of smaller diameter,defining a shoulder-stop 28. Threaded extremity 27 engages drill hole 23formed in the center of projecting cylindrical enlargement 22 on thesolid front wall 20 of the cartridge. Vibrating discs 24 occupy theentire transverse section of the cartridge, and there is only a smallamount of play with the interior cylindrical wall of the cartridge, sothe discs slide freely within the cartridge, requiring very little forceto overcome friction, and without blocking. The discs occupy almost theentire length of hollow central coaxial axis 25, with the result thatthere is only a very slight amount play between them, just slight mutualtransverse axial displacements.

Hollow axis 25 has calibrated transverse openings such as opening 29,which may be semi-circular or triangular. These openings may only bepresent on the anterior half of its length. During axial displacementcaused by oscillation, they are alternately uncovered and covered by thecentral opening in each vibrating disc attaching them to the hollowaxle. These openings are divided into groups 30, 31, 32 arranged in onetransverse circular line. It is considered sufficient to provide fouropenings arranged at 90° angles on each section. Openings 29 in thefirst group 30 are immediately proximate to shoulder-stop 28 on threadedextremity 27 of hollow axis 25. Successive openings are separated by adistance equal to the width of one disc, then equal to the width of twodiscs. Naturally, the arrangement shown in this execution merely showsone non-limiting example.

When inactive, that is, when there is no liquid flow and no pressure inthe cartridge, discs 24 are pressed against each other by the action ofthe rear spring opposite the spring which contacts full frontal wall 20.Said rear spring contacts the central portion of the last disc, whichserves as a base for the spring. The force of the spring pushes the unitof discs 24 against the base the of cartridge which is the rear surfaceof frontal wall 20.

Note that there is one end base disc 33, that is, a closed disc. Thisdisc is maintained in contact with the rear surface of frontal wall 20by pressure from the adjacent spring. Note also that there is a rear enddisc 34, that is, an open disc, which serves as a contact surface forthe adjacent spring, as it includes cylindrical projection 35 on thecentral portion.

Next the formation and characteristics of vibrating discs 24 will beexamined. These are presently made of non-corroding metal, but theycould also be made of plastic material or a composite alloy withsuitable mechanical qualities, sufficiently resistant to wear andfriction. The same is true for the cartridge bodies.

Several types of discs are distinguished. First, there are the enddiscs: base disc 33 in contact with the base wall, and rear disc 34, andnext the intermediate discs such as discs 36 and 37, of two types.

As the drawings show, the intermediate discs differ in that they may ormay not have a perforated central portion. There are solid intermediatediscs 36 and perforated discs 37. They have the following generalcharacteristics:

Each intermediate disc has a central opening such as opening 38 withapproximately the same diameter as the exterior diameter of hollow axis25 so that it can be guided to slide freely along the axis, for example,loosely fitted on it. Each central opening 38 is defined on each surfaceby a full rim 39 and 40. The discs also have on the central portion ofeach surface a circular projection 41 and 42 concentric with the fullrim, with two axial crenelated notches such as notches 43. Notches 43 onsaid crenelated projections 41, 42 are angularly spaced apart from eachother in a regular pattern and angularly spaced apart from a projectionon the opposing surface.

A single disc may incorporate a crenelated projection 41 or 42 on oneside and a corresponding smooth, full projection (not shown) on theopposite side.

Each crenelated projection 41 or 42 defines with each corresponding fullrim 39 or 40 on central opening 38 a full area 44 or a perforatedannular area 45, with perforations 46 in a regular, crown-ikearrangement, serving as axial passageways. The presence or absence ofthese perforations forms the main distinction between intermediate discs36 and 37. In order to distinguish between them, the terms solidintermediate discs 36 and perforated intermediate discs 37 will be used.The solid discs and the perforated discs both have a plurality ofperipheral notches on their periphery 47, varying in number, and definedby notches such as notch 48 of varying depths and widths. The notches onsolid intermediate discs 36 are more numerous than the notches onperforated intermediate discs 37.

According to a variation shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the openings defineperipheral notches and the axial openings 43 on crenelated projections41, 42 are diagonally disposed in relation to the general longitudinalline of the axis.

The two end discs 33 and 34 are solid discs. Closed end disc or basedisc 33 is similar to a solid intermediate disc. Open end disc or reardisc 34 has the same general shape as the solid intermediate discs, butthere are more peripheral notches and the crenelated projection on theside facing the spring is replaced by cylindrical projection 35 forminga base for the spring.

Solid intermediate discs 36 and perforated discs 37 alternate. Since twosolid discs are required on the ends, there must be an odd number ofdiscs.

By way of example, five discs are shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 and 11, 12.This number constitutes an acceptable compromise for an application withan oily liquid of average fluidity.

The interior space of the tubular body is occupied by a succession ofsprings and cartridges, the minimum being one cartridge and two springs,as shown in FIG. 2.

Each end space defined by an end block 2 or 3 and the adjacent cartridgeconstitutes a passage and turbulence chamber for the fluid or fluidmixture. Thus, after single inlet block 5 or mixing block 4, there are afirst turbulence chamber 49, and at the other extremity of the tubularbody, a final turbulence chamber 50. The spaces between cartridgesenclosing the connecting springs form the intermediate turbulencechambers such as chambers 51, 52, 53.

Next, the input blocks and the output block are described in detail.

Depending upon the application, the input block may be a simple block 5or a mixing type block 4.

Simple input block 5 takes the form of a stopper element 54 screwed intothe threaded extremity of body 1 with a toric seal 6 interposed. Stopper54 has a central passageway 55 with a conical end opening 56, whichpassageway includes a tube 57 diverging towards the interior of tubularbody 1 and extending from the exterior of the stopper on the side ofturbulence chamber 49 into a double shoulder stop, one stop 58 beingrecessed within the stopper, followed by an end stop 59 forming a basefor the end of the spring. The stops may constitute one technicalelement 60 (see circled portion of FIG. 1).

The end block described as forming the mixer 4 is a separate piece 61.It has approximately the same central input channel 55 with a conicalinlet 56 and a diverging tube 62 as the preceding arrangement, andconical extremity 56 of the inlet in line. Two additional transverseinlets 63 and 64 open perpendicularly into central channel 55 nearconical extremity 56, but are slightly longitudinally offset to avoidinteractions and problems at the outlet. These transverse input annexes63 and 64 are cylindrical interior passageways 65, 66 which taper at theend into a conical transition 67, 68. A secondary longitudinal conduit69, 70 crosses the stopper transversely between each conical transition67, 68 and the adjacent turbulence chamber 49 into which central channel55 opens. Mixing takes place partially due to the venturi effect insidecentral channel 55 and partially within the adjacent turbulence chamber49 through secondary longitudinal conduits 69, 70.

The principal pressurized fluid passes through central channel 55, thatis, the fluid with the most rapid flow rate originating from a supplycircuit with a pump (not shown). Through the adjacent channels pressurefrom pumps (not shown) preferably injects the fluids to be mixed or theemulsifying liquid, for example, water, liquid by-products and others invariable quantities depending upon the application, typically between 10and 20%, but occasionally more or a great deal more. In the case of aspecific installation or a process occurring in stages, central channel55 may receive fluid that is already emulsified.

The simple inlet block emulsifier module having a channel with adiverging pipe or a tube with a diverging interior conduit 57 thatextends into a projecting stop 58, 59 serving as a spring base hasseveral vibrating cartridges, the last of which is connected to outputblock 3 by means of the last resilient longitudinal connector 15.

Output block 3 in the form of stopper element 71 fulfills severalfunctions. The first is evacuation through a central output head 72forming a collector with several output channels, one of which iscentral channel 73, and two oblique channels 74, 75 opening into acollection chamber 76 through a diagonal outlet 77. In order to regulateit, outlet head 72 can be moved axially along a longitudinal guide 78using a punch screw 79. Furthermore, the recessed rim 80 of output head72 forms a base for the final counter spring 15. When it moves, the headexerts a greater or lesser degree of static compression on the finalspring and consequently, all the springs in the tubular body react.

The output block also fulfills two other functions.

The first is to act as a vibration detector using a vibration sensor 81to provide information to a circuit regarding the level and state ofvibrations inside the tubular body so the position of the output headcan be adjusted to regulate it and adapt to various vibrationrequirements.

The second is to act as an adjustable safety stop in the form of asliding shaft 82 which can be blocked in a predetermined position, orsome other means. The tip of this shaft maintains the end disc 34 of thelast cartridge at a distance from the end of sensor 81.

The emulsifier module and its variations according to the invention maybe used separately or in groups, in series, in parallel, or they may beotherwise grouped or separated by a pump to form one or more stages.

The operation of the module according to the invention will nowexplained more specifically, with reference to FIGS. 11 through 13.

Base disc 33 in contact with the cartridge base is positioned so thatits central opening completely releases outlets 29 of the first group 30on hollow axle 25 when base disc 33 is in contact with the base wall ofthe cartridge, thus keeping the outlets of the first group open,regardless of the movements of base disc 33.

When inactive, all the vibrating discs 24 are in contact with oneanother due to the elastic action of the connecting springs. Thepositions of the openings 29 in the next groups 31, 32 on hollow axis 25and the thickness of discs 24 at their central openings are such that atleast two discs are displaced above the openings.

At rest, the discs located above outlets 29 on hollow axis 25 cover theopenings completely, except for the base disc, as shown in FIG. 11.During operation, the openings are alternately uncovered and covered(FIG. 13), as they oscillate at a higher frequency than the frequency atwhich the cartridges oscillate.

Several pathways are open to the fluid passing through the cartridge.There are two main paths. The fluid may pass first through frontal wall20 in each cartridge and through perforations 21, and then through theinterior of hollow axis 25. Once inside the cartridge, having passedthrough frontal wall 20 via openings 21, it applies pressure to basedisc 33, which is solid, but has peripheral notches 47 in openings 48,allowing a portion of the liquid to pass through. This pressure willcause displacement when it encounters the push of the counter spring.This force will provoke a slight displacement of the base disc and thenthe entire unit of discs, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 11.

This displacement causes the other outlets 29 on hollow axis 25 todisengage and open (FIG. 12). These supplemental fluid pathways, shownby the arrows, lower pressure at the cartridge inlet and create a weakerdisplacement force which, once it becomes weaker than the recall forceof the spring, will cause inverse disc displacement, that is, the discswill return to the bottom. When this occurs, intermediate discs 36, 37will again cover openings 29, thus causing pressure to mount again untilit exceeds the recall force of the connecting spring and reverts to thepreceding situation. These movements are repeated periodically. Thevibrating discs oscillate alternately along hollow axis 25.

Fluid leaving the openings on the hollow central axis, as well as thealternating movements of the central disc openings above the orifices,causes vibrations which are transmitted to the discs and ashearing-laminar flow effect which greatly improves the fineness of theemulsion. This phenomenon begins at the point where pressure values arelow, at the level of several bars, and increases until pressure reachesa level ranging from 10 to 100 bars. There is a rate of operation whichcauses composite vibrations, one component of which corresponds to thevibration frequency of the discs. This rate depends not only upon themechanical properties of the discs, but also upon the properties of thefluid, such as viscosity, pressure, and flow rate. Obviously, this theideal situation, as it produces maximum output.

This disc vibration corresponds to a third frequency of operation, thefirst being the oscillating movement of the cartridges and the second,the alternative movements of the discs along hollow axis 25.

The combination of these three vibratory phenomena, the vibration offluid flowing along the cartridges and of the tubular body, togetherwith the shearing-laminar flow effect, contribute to the highperformance levels and increased output of the emulsifier, as well asthe superior quality of the resulting emulsion.

Cartridges 8 slide freely within the tubular body in the same way apiston slides inside a cylinder. The resilient longitudinal extendingand retracting counter springs cause each cartridge to oscillate arounda position of rest under the influence of incident pressure.

Each cartridge is animated to move alternately at another frequency,lower than that of the discs, which is determined principally by variousfactors such as flow rate, pressure, and fluid viscosity, as well as themass of each cartridge and the rigidity of the springs.

The cartridge or cartridges are pushed by the pressure of incident flow,causing a force greater than the push of the recall spring below it, anddisplacing the cartridge after the spring has compressed. In reaction,the spring develops a recall force causing an opposite movement whenpressure on the cartridge decreases due to the larger opening in theinside fluid passageway.

Openings 29 in hollow axis 25 are alternately opened and closed by themovement on the hollow axis of the wall defined by central opening 38 onthe adjacent discs (FIG. 13).

These movements alternately uncover and cover the exit openings for thepressurized fluid, creating a shearing-laminar flow effect on thepressurized fluid.

This high frequency shearing-laminar flow effect greatly improves thefineness and stability of the emulsion.

The basic principles outlined above apply to each module. There is apre-emulsifying module formed of a multi-track mixing input block 4, aturbulence chamber 49, one or more cartridges joined by resilientlongitudinal connectors, and an output block 3 with a stop 82 and avibration sensor 81.

A fluid speed ranging from 5 to 10 m/s at the level of the disc notchesand the openings of hollow axis 25 produces an ultrafine emulsion.

Insofar as efficiency is concerned, it has been demonstrated thatsupplying a high power heating unit of 10,000 kw with emulsified fuelrequires an installation of only 2 kw for the emulsifier and a powerratio of 0.2%.

Experiments have shown that fuel consumption is reduced from 10% to 20%for an emulsion titrated with 15 to 20% water. Experiments have alsoshown that combustion remains possible with up to 50% water.

Engine fuel economy should parallel these percentages.

The invention also relates to a homogenization and emulsion method usingthe means described above.

The method consists of mixing a pressurized vector fluid with one ormore secondary fluids in a multi-track input block, preferably with acentral channel and using the venturi effect, and to homogenize themixture in a first turbulence chamber located at a first extremity of atubular homogenization-emulsion body blocked at the first extremity bythe input block.

The method then involves proceeding to a water-in-oil type emulsion bypassing the fluids through one or more cartridges, each containingvibrating discs, said cartridges being connected to one another and toboth extremities of the tubular body with resilient connectors, and theunit being essentially similar to that described above.

Finally, the method consists of causing the fluid to pass into a finalturbulence chamber sealed by the output block, and regulating theposition of the output head supporting the end of the last resilientconnecting spring until it reaches the resonance area of the vibratingor oscillating elements contained in the tubular body, with adjustmentsbeing made according to information about vibrations inside the tubularbody provided by the measurement probe or the vibration sensor.

The method also applies to the use of several models grouped in aseries, in parallel, or some other arrangement, with the possibleaddition of a pump between two successive modules or between two groupsof modules.

What is claimed is:
 1. A high efficiency emulsifying module forproducing one of a stable mixture and a stable emulsion, the emulsifyingmodule comprising a tubular body (1) having opposed open first andsecond ends, the first end of the tubular body (1) being closed by aninput block (2) having a passageway for supplying at least onepressurized fluid to be mixed and the second end of the tubular body (1)being closed by an output block (3) for evacuation of an emulsifiedfluid via an exit passageway, and an interior of said tubular body (1)containing a plurality of movable elements which are slidably attachedto at least one central axle; the emulsifying module comprises:at leastone cartridge (8) for passage of the fluid to be mixed therethrough, andeach at least one cartridge (8) having:at least one hollow central axlewith a plurality of lateral outlets (29) provided along an exteriorsurface thereof, the hollow central axle is opened at an end thereoffacing the first end of the tubular body (1) and is closed at an endthereof facing the second end of the tubular body (1), and the lateraloutlets (29) form a flow path for conveying the fluid to be mixedthrough the at least one cartridge; a cartridge body attached adjacentthe open end of the hollow central axle, the cartridge body supports aplurality of vibrating discs confined to slide along an exterior surfaceof the hollow central axle and a lateral inwardly facing wall of thecartridge body, and the cartridge body is translationally displaceablewithin the interior of the tubular body (1); the vibrating discs of thecartridge body are slidable axially along the exterior surface of thehollow central axle between first and second positions, in the firstposition radially inwardly facing bases of some of the vibrating discscover at least some of the lateral outlets of the hollow central axle toprevent flow of the fluid to be mixed therethrough while other of thelateral outlets remain uncovered to facilitate flow of the fluid to bemixed therethrough, and in the second position the bases of some of thevibrating discs, that in the first position were axially spaced from thelateral outlets so as to facilitate flow of the fluid to be mixedtherethrough, cover some of the lateral outlets which were initiallyuncovered to prevent flow of the fluid to be mixed therethrough whilethe bases of some of the vibrating discs, that in the first positioncovered some of the lateral outlets, are moved axially to uncover atleast some of the lateral outlets and facilitate flow of the fluid to bemixed therethrough; a plurality of resilient connectors (14-18) forresiliently sandwiching each of the at least one cartridge, containedwithin the interior of the emulsifying module, between inwardly facingsurfaces of the input block (2) and the output block (3); and the atleast one cartridge has first and second separate supply paths, thefirst path is provided on a front surface of the cartridge body and thesecond path is through the open end of the hollow central axle whichdistributes the fluid to be mixed inside the at least one cartridgethrough the lateral outlets (29) which are covered and uncovered by anoscillating movement of the vibrating discs (24), along the hollowcentral axle, caused by the passage of the fluid to be mixed through theemulsifying module, and the oscillation movement of the at least onecartridge (8) is controlled by physical characteristics of the at leastone cartridge and the resilient connectors (14-18).
 2. The emulsifyingmodule according to claim 1, wherein the input block (2) is a mixerinput block (4) with a conical inlet (56) communicating with a centralchannel (55) for supplying one fluid to be mixed, the central channel(55) communicates with a diverging tube (62) diverging toward theinterior of the tubular body (1), the diverging tube (62) has aprojecting extremity which forms a base for engaging with one of theplurality of resilient connectors (14-18) connecting the input blockwith an adjacent cartridge, and the mixer input block (4) has twolateral inlets (63, 64) which supply additional fluid to be mixed to thecentral channel (55) via two transverse conduits, and each of the twolateral inlets (63, 64) also communicates with the tubular body (1) viaa respective secondary longitudinal conduit (69, 70).
 3. The emulsifyingmodule according to claim 1, wherein that the input block (2) has only acentral channel (55) for supplying one fluid to be mixed, the inputblock (2) further comprises an additional tube (57) which divergestoward the interior of the tubular body (1), said additional tube (57)has an extremity which projects inside the tubular body and forms a basefor engaging with one of the plurality of resilient connectors (14-18)connecting the input block with an adjacent cartridge, and a turbulencechamber (49) is defined between the input block (2) and the adjacentcartridge.
 4. The emulsifying module according to claim 1, wherein saidoutput block (3) has a stopper element (71) which engages with thesecond end of the tubular body, said output block (3) supports an outlethead (72) that is axially movable along a central guide (78) via a screw(79), said outlet head (72) has a central channel (73) and at least twooblique outlet channels (74,75) which all communicate with a collectionchamber (76), said outlet head has an exterior rim (80) which serves asa base for a last one of the plurality of resilient connectors (15), thestopper element (71) forms a sensor (81) which measures vibrations ofthe plurality of resilient connectors (14-18) for regulation purposes,and a safety stop (82) of the stopper element (71) maintains an adjacentdisc of the emulsifying module at a desired operating distance from thesensor.
 5. The emulsifying module according to claim 1, wherein eachcartridge body has a closed front wall (20) which faces the first end ofthe tubular body (1) and is opened at an opposite end facing the secondend of the tubular body (1), the closed front wall (20) has a centralopening (22) and a plurality of perforations formed therein, an interiorof the cartridge body accommodates the vibrating discs (24) which areslidably attached to the hollow central axle (25), the hollow centralaxle (25) has a threaded end (27) which engages with a mating thread ofthe central opening (22) of the cartridge body to secure the vibratingdiscs (24) to the cartridge, and the closed end of the hollow centralaxle (25) terminates at a shoulder stop (26).
 6. The emulsifying moduleaccording to claim 5, wherein a rearward most disc (34) of eachcartridge facing the second end of the tubular body (1) is free ofperforations and has a projection (35), on a central portion thereoffacing the second end of the tubular body (1), which serves as a basefor coupling one of the plurality of resilient connectors (14-18) to oneof an adjacent cartridge and said output block (3).
 7. The emulsifyingmodule according to claim 1, wherein the vibrating discs (24) have acentral opening (38) defined by a central rim (39,40) by which thevibrating discs (24) are slidably mounted on the hollow central axle(25), peripheral notches (47) are defined by openings (48) formed in aperiphery of the vibrating discs (24), and each of said vibrating discs(24) has a crenelated, cylindrical projection (41, 42) located on an atleast one surface thereof with the crenelated, cylindrical projection(41, 42) between the rim (39,40) and the peripheral notches (47).
 8. Theemulsifying module according to claim 7, wherein at least some of thevibrating discs (37) have a succession of perforations (46) extendingthrough the vibrating discs (37), and the succession of perforations(46) are located between the central rim (39,40) and the crenelated,cylindrical projection (41, 42).
 9. The emulsifying module according toclaim 1, wherein the emulsifying module comprises a plurality ofemulsifying modules which are sequentially coupled with one another. 10.The emulsifying module according to claim 1, wherein the emulsifyingmodule comprises a plurality of emulsifying modules which aresequentially coupled with one another and also coupled with at least onepump.
 11. A method for homogenizing and emulsifying at least one mainfluid and at least one secondary fluid in a high efficiency emulsifyingmodule comprising a tubular body (1) having opposed open first andsecond ends, the first end of the tubular body (1) being closed by aninput block (2) having a passageway for supplying at least onepressurized fluid to be mixed and the second end of the tubular body (1)being closed by an output block (3) for evacuation of an emulsifiedfluid via an exit passageway, and an interior of said tubular body (1)containing a plurality of movable elements which are slidably attachedto at least one central axle; the method comprising the stepsof:providing at least one cartridge (8) for passage of the fluid to bemixed therethrough, and forming each at least one cartridge (8) with:atleast one hollow central axle with a plurality of lateral outlets (29)provided along an exterior surface thereof, the hollow central axle isopened at an end thereof facing the first end of the tubular body (1)and is closed at an end thereof facing the second end of the tubularbody (1), and the lateral outlets (29) form a flow path for conveyingthe fluid to be mixed through the at least one cartridge; attaching acartridge body adjacent the open end of the hollow central axle, thecartridge body supports a plurality of vibrating discs confined to slidealong an exterior surface of the hollow central axle and a lateralinwardly facing wall of the cartridge body, and translationallydisplacing the cartridge body within the interior of the tubular body(1); sliding the vibrating discs of the cartridge body axially along theexterior surface of the hollow central axle between first and secondpositions, in the first position a radially inwardly facing bases ofsome of the vibrating discs cover at least some of the lateral outletsof the hollow central axle to prevent flow of the fluid to be mixedtherethrough while other of the lateral outlets remain uncovered tofacilitate flow of the fluid to be mixed therethrough, and in the secondposition the bases of some of the vibrating discs, that in the firstposition were axially spaced from the lateral outlets so as tofacilitate flow of the fluid to be mixed therethrough, cover some of thelateral outlets which were initially uncovered to prevent flow of thefluid to be mixed therethrough while the bases of some of the vibratingdiscs, that in the first position covered some of the lateral outlets,are moved axially to uncover at least some of the lateral outlets andfacilitate flow of the fluid to be mixed therethrough; resilientlysandwiching, via a plurality of resilient connectors (14-18), each ofthe at least one cartridge, contained within the interior of theemulsifying module, between inwardly facing surfaces of the input block(2) and the output block (3); and providing the at least one cartridgewith first and second separate supply paths, the first path is providedon a front surface of the cartridge body and the second path is throughthe open end of the hollow central axle which distributes the fluid tobe mixed inside the at least one cartridge through the lateral outlets(29) which are covered and uncovered by an oscillating movement of thevibrating discs (24), along the hollow central axle, caused by thepassage of the fluid to be mixed through the emulsifying module, and theoscillation movement of the at least one cartridge (8) is controlled byphysical characteristics of the at least one cartridge and the resilientconnectors (14-18).
 12. The method according to claim 11, furthercomprising the step of sequentially coupling a plurality of emulsifyingmodules with one another.
 13. The method according to claim 12, furthercomprising the step of coupling at least one pump to the sequentiallycoupled plurality of emulsifying modules.